Morning Assembly looks the perfect RSA type in brutal test for novices
BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS THE RSA CHASE AND THE NEPTUNE NOVICES’ HURDLE
FINDING the winner of the RSA Chase (2.05pm) is no easy feat. More often than not, the winner is not the most talented in the contest. It is the one best equipped to cope with the stiffest test imaginable for a staying novice chaser.
The nature of this contest means we are searching for the horse who, not only has the deep stamina reserves to stay the three mile and half a furlong trip, but the mental and physical capabilities to do so at a brutal, lung-bursting pace.
As with the majority of championship races this week, the most obvious starting point is the Willie Mullins/Ruby Walsh camp. The Irish pair provide ante-post favourite Ballycasey.
The lightly-raced grey has only had two runs over fences, but was hugely impressive last time when winning the PJ Moriarty Chase – the same route the stable took with Cooldine back in 2009.
I’m less concerned than plenty that Ballycasey took a very public fall while schooling at Leopardstown after racing a couple of weekends ago. His mistake may just teach him to give fences that bit more respect.
My lack of enthusiasm for him is purely based on price (he’s as short as 9/2) and the fact that he’s potentially not as street-wise as some of his rivals.
Smad Place warrants plenty of respect from the Alan King stable, having been placed in two World Hurdles, and he has been mightily impressive in his last two chase starts.
My issue with him is that he doesn’t seem to win on the big day. I’m not saying he can’t win, he’s just plenty short enough for one who tends to find one or two too good.
Corrin Wood has done nothing wrong this season. Yet the fact that he’s lost his regular pilot to injury and has the tendency to jump out to the right means I’m happy to leave him alone.
That’s harder to do with Carlingford Lough as he now has bags of experience and will be bang there with AP McCoy in the saddle.
However, the one horse I’ve been looking forward to all winter is the Irish-trained MORNING ASSEMBLY, available at 7/1 with BetBright, who once again are offering a £30 risk free bet on all Cheltenham races to new customers.
Pat Fahy’s seven-year-old hasn’t been seen since he was mugged late on by Carlingford Lough at Christmas in the Grade One Topaz Novices’ Chase and has been freshened up deliberately for this test.
He’s previously won both his starts over fences pretty impressively and also has a Grade One hurdles win over three miles at the Punchestown Festival on his CV. Not only that, he beat today’s favourite Ballycasey that day, and I’d be pretty sweet on siding with him in a potential match bet with Sporting Index with his rival again today.
The one negative would be the ground as my selection has yet to run on a surface with the word “good” in it. I have to admit that is a concern should it become the dominant word in the going description, but his mental toughness, stamina, and resolve make him the ideal contender for this.
Mullins may not win the RSA, but I am very keen on his FAUGHEEN in the Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle (1.30pm) that kicks off today’s card.
The six-year-old is unbeaten in three starts over hurdles and, although he hasn’t faced any serious rivals yet, he smashed the Surprime second Josses Hill by 22 lengths in a Punchestown bumper last May.
It’s all about potential with Faugheen and I just have a feeling that he could be pretty special. There have been rumours that he has had an interrupted preparation, but I wouldn’t read much into that and he looks the best horse in the race. Take the 9/4 with Star Sports who will refund bets if he finishes out of the frame.
Red Sherlock, who is also yet to taste defeat, is respected for the Pipe team. The five-year-old did well to beat Mullins’ Rathvinden, who re-opposes today, on Trials Day, but he was receiving three pounds that day and they should finish closer this afternoon.
Royal Boy was a good winner of the Tolworth, but I’m not convinced he has the speed for this and the more interesting ones are Lieutenant Colonel and Ballyalton.
The former, trained by Dessie Hughes, has been beaten twice this season. There is no disgrace in finishing second to Vautour and Wicklow Brave, however, and the step up in trip looks certain to suit.
Ian Williams’ Ballyalton had looked progressive before getting stuck in the mud here on New Year’s Day. He can be forgiven that run and on better ground I wouldn’t rule out a decent showing at 14/1 with BetBright.
But it’s Faugheen for me who can hopefully keep the Mullins juggernaut rolling on.